The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld #1)(60)
Author: Gena Showalter

You don’t really think you can beat these men, do you? The uncharacteristic doubt whispered through Aeron’s mind, quickly solidifying and raking sharp claws in his thoughts.

"We are not the same warriors we used to be," Cameo said, drawing attention to her sad eyes. "Hear us out, at least."

Everyone cringed. She spoke as if every sorrow in the world rested on her delicate shoulders. Probably did. Listening to her, Aeron wanted to sob like a human baby.

"We do need your help. We’re looking for dimOuniak. Pandora’s box. Do you know where it is?" Sabin asked tightly.

"After all these years, you want the box?" Lucien seemed bathed in confusion. "Why?"

If you engage them, you might be killed. Or maimed. Why not give them what they want and return to life as normal? Aeron’s fists tightened. Damn it. He was strong and capable. There was no reason to doubt himself like this. Doubt…

A growl rumbled in the back of his throat as he recalled his former friend’s ability. "Get out of my head, Sabin."

"Sorry," the warrior said with a weak smile. "Habit."

He should have launched his dagger then and there. "So you’re the one who tried to lure us to the cemetery unarmed." Not a question. "I thought you didn’t want to fight us," he added dryly.

Sabin’s smile became sheepish. "Wasn’t sure of my welcome and didn’t want to tempt Fate. And since I failed to draw you there, Kane’s going to have a boring night with the corpses. What are you doing here, by the way? Did you hear the Hunters would be here, too?"

"We sent Torin to the cemetery, so Kane’s night will be anything but boring," Lucien told him, gaze scanning the club. "And yes, we tracked the Hunters here, though I don’t see them."

"Disease is with Kane?" Frowning, Sabin whipped a black box from his pocket. Even as he did so, Reyes had a knife pointed at his neck, obviously thinking the man was going for a weapon. When Reyes realized it was a walkie-talkie, he lowered his blade.

Frown deepening, Sabin raised the radio to his mouth and said, "Kane. Stand down. Friendly fire."

"Roger that. I know," was the staticky reply.

Sabin returned the radio to his pocket. "We good now?"

"Not even close," Aeron snapped.

Strider stood there shaking angrily, his blistering gaze circling the area. Several people had begun dancing again, high on alcohol and lust as they writhed against each other. "Do you know about the Titans?"

Lucien looked at Aeron before nodding. "Yes."

Cameo bit her lip. "Any idea what they want from us?"

Gods, Aeron wished the woman would keep her mouth closed. "No," he answered before someone could speak for him. He didn’t want anyone else knowing what he had been commanded to do.

"Listen, old friends, I know you hate us," Sabin said. "I know we want different things. But one thing we all have in common is a will to live. About a month ago we learned that Hunters are searching for Pandora’s box. If they find it, our demons are in danger of being sucked inside. That means we’re in danger of dying."

"How do you know it hasn’t been destroyed already?" Reyes asked with a frown.

A moment passed, the erratic pulse of muscle the only sound.

"I don’t, but I’m not willing to take a chance that maybe it’s gone forever."

All these years, Aeron had given the box very little thought. His demon had been inside of it, now it wasn’t, and he’d accepted the consequences of his actions, end of story.

Now he thought back to the fateful night of his demon’s release, trying to remember what had happened. He had helped fight off Pandora’s guards while Lucien had opened the box. The demons had sprung out, seemingly unstoppable as they flew at the guards, devouring their flesh.

The scent of blood and death had infused the air, blending with the screams. Something had wrapped around Aeron’s neck – a demon, he knew now – and he’d lost his breath. He’d fallen to his knees, no longer able to hold his own weight, and crawled through the entire chamber, searching for the box, desperate to find it. But he never had. It had vanished as if it had never been.

Lucien ran a hand through his midnight hair. "We don’t know where it is. All right?"

A woman suddenly smashed herself into Paris, licking at his neck. Paris closed his eyes and Reyes shook his head, "We should take this conversation elsewhere."

"Let’s go to your fortress," Sabin suggested. "Perhaps, together, we will remember something about the way it was taken."

"No," Aeron and Reyes said simultaneously.

"Well, I could happily stay here all night," Gideon said, obviously irritated.

Aeron had forgotten how quickly Gideon’s lies could rub his nerves the wrong way.

"Your fortress?" Sabin prompted. "I’m ready to leave when you are."

"No," Aeron said again.

"Fine. We’ll stay here. Just give me a moment to send everyone home." Sabin closed his eyes, expression growing intense.

Aeron watched him carefully, gripping his dagger, not knowing what to expect. The music stopped abruptly; the dancers ceased moving. Uncertainty fell over each of their features as they began muttering and walking toward the doors. In a matter of minutes, the entire building had emptied out.

Sabin’s shoulders slumped and he expelled a long, exhausted breath. His eyelids cracked open. "There. We’re alone."

Amun, who hadn’t spoken a single word during the entire exchange, tilted his head to the side and stared at Aeron intently, his eyes like a laser beam into his forehead. Amun’s face was unreadable, and that made Aeron uneasy. Possessed as the warrior was by Secrets, could he guess what Aeron guarded deep in his soul?

Amun’s gaze suddenly met his, and there was regret and knowledge in his dark eyes. Aeron stiffened. Oh, yes. He could guess.

Sabin’s chest expanded as he clearly fought for patience. "Why don’t we strike a deal? We’ll take care of the Hunters who have invaded your city if you’ll help us find the box. It’s a fair exchange. We’ve battled them for years and know just how to strike."

"I found one earlier and interrogated him," Strider said. "That’s how we knew to come to the club, but so far we’ve seen no trace of the rest."

Aeron caught a flash of movement in the far shadows and frowned. "Someone stayed behind," he muttered. Everyone stiffened.

That’s when Aeron saw the outline of four more humans, all male and all well-muscled, even in silhouette. His frown deepened as he drew in a whiff of gunpowder. "Hunters," he growled. "How’s that for a trace?"